4-year-old Boy Smiles His Way To Success

His Father's Death And His Mother's Struggles Haven't Discouraged Demany Mckinnon.

January 9, 2004|By Edgar Sandoval, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

HOLLYWOOD -- Demany McKinnon has seen a lot of hardship in his four years. His father died in a motorcycle accident in May. And his mother, who works and goes to school, has been in and out of the hospital because of dangerously high blood pressure.

But Demany is rarely without a smile on his face, a smile so bright it has been featured in magazines and catalogs in the United States and Europe.

Demany's modeling career, which began after an unusual twist of fate, has made him a celebrity of sorts in his working-class neighborhood in western Hollywood.

"He really enjoys having his photo taken," said his mother, Nicole Marshall. "He is very mature for his age. He knows . . . how strong he needs to be. We are going to do this just as long as he wants to. The day he decides to stop, we will."

So far, there is no sign of stopping Demany, who says he enjoys the action shots, where he plays or runs around while a photographer takes his photos. He has modeled for toy and clothing companies, and his photos have appeared in such national magazines as Parenting and Child.

The modeling opportunity came suddenly about a year ago. People had been asking Marshall, a substitute teacher working to earn an education degree from Florida Atlantic University, if her son was a model.

She finally decided to have a photographer make photos for a portfolio. But she could only afford one set.

She decided to make cheaper copies at a pharmacy and was standing in line at a store in Hollywood when a woman behind her asked if she could see the photos.

The woman took a look and asked Marshall if she would like for her son to pursue modeling.

Sure, Marshall replied.

"Today is your lucky day," the woman replied. "We need him in a week."

The woman, Judy Rudolph, is a stylist for Age Model Management, a Miami Beach modeling agency.

Since then, Demany has been working steadily, going to shoots at least once a month. Marshall hired an agent after Rudolph referred him to the modeling agency.

"To be a child model, you have to have an original look, charisma and be at the right place at the right time," said Rosie De La Rose, Demany's agent. "That is hard to find here in South Florida. Demany has that. He is a beautiful child."

Child models make about $75 an hour, with most photo shoots lasting two to three hours but sometimes stretching to eight.

"I think what has happened to him is unbelievable, a true blessing," Marshall said.